JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl hits primetime TV on Thursday night. Here’s what you need to know about the 80th game at EverBank Stadium.
Who are the teams
Ole Miss (9-3) and Duke (9-3). The Rebels are ranked 16th in the country in the AP poll.
TV
The game will be televised on ESPN. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
The line
Ole Miss is a 17-point favorite, not what you’d expect from a pair of 9-3 teams. The over/under is 51.5 points. The Rebels opened as a 12-point favorite but that line has ballooned.
Tickets and parking
Are available for as low as $40 through Ticketmaster. More ticket options can be found here. Parking is $40 and can be purchased here. Parking lots open at 2:30 p.m. and gates for the game open at 5:30 p.m.
TaxSlayer Tailgate and pep rallies
Free admission to this festive event at the Flex Field from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The indoor venue will be set up with inflatables and traditional tailgate games. Gameday pep rallies are in Daily’s Place with Duke’s rally at 6:30 and Ole Miss’ at 6:45 p.m.
The big names
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart is the star attraction. A three-year starter, Dart has thrown 68 TD passes and 10,213 yards in his career. He also has 12 rushing TDs. It should have been a major showdown between Dart and Duke QB Maalik Murphy, but Murphy hit the portal and transferred to Oregon State. Ole Miss LB Chris Paul Jr. (88 tackles) declared for the NFL draft. Cornerback Jadon Canady, a former All-News4JAX player of the year from Sandalwood, and right tackle Micah Pettus also entered the portal.
The history
Ole Miss has played in the Gator Bowl three times, the last a 35-3 loss to Michigan in 1991. The Rebels and QB Archie Manning lost to Auburn 35-28 in 1971 and beat the Florida Gators 7-3 in 1958. Duke has never played in the Gator Bowl.
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